Towards Equality: A Study of the Legal Position of Women in the United States

<p>The first laws governing the position of women in our country, apart from the customs of the Indians, were the laws of Spain. A century before any other European state obtained a foothold in the New World, Spain began the creation of an American colonial Empire (1). Although Spanish exploring activity commenced with the discovery of America - it was not until 1564 (2) with the founding of St. Augustine that a permanent settlement was effected within the present limits of the United States. This date therefore may be considered as marking the introduction of Spanish law into this region.</p>